Amputation Lawyer in Riverside, CA

An amputated limb can disrupt your life in profound ways and pose many complications. If this life-altering injury was borne out of negligence, then you can hire an amputation lawyer in Riverside, CA to help you navigate a personal injury claim against them. They will help you recover compensation to cover the cost of your medical care. 

The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas knows that the loss you have suffered is bigger than the removal of your limb. We understand that it affects your mobility and quality of life as well. A Riverside personal injury lawyer will work diligently to make sure you receive the compassionate support and aggressive representation you deserve. You are our top priority and are committed to the success of your case. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After an Amputation?

There is a limited amount of time to collect compensation after you have had a limb amputated. California has a statute of limitations of two years from the time an injury was sustained or discovered. To be sure you can recover the compensation you need for your medical costs, be sure to act as soon as possible to start your case. Your lawyer can assess your situation and determine your options based on the amount of time you have left before the statute of limitations expires. 

Choose the Experienced Trial Attorneys at the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas

The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas are committed to using creative, innovative, and effective solutions in your case to secure the most favorable outcome possible. We know that the opposition will try to avoid paying you fairly, but we demand better and know how to hold them accountable for their role in your injury. With over 35 years of experience on our side, our team provides clients with the personalized attention and results they need.

Our team is made up of experienced trial attorneys who are not afraid to aggressively fight for our clients in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. We understand the complexities of amputation and personal injury cases and how overwhelming the legal system can feel. We are here by your side to simplify the process and handle all aspects of your case. We investigate the accident, gather evidence, review the defendant’s discovery, and advocate for you out of the courtroom. 

Contingency Fees Used to Make Legal Representation Accessible 

The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas makes sure that our clients have access to legal services when they have been unexpectedly injured. You can hire our experienced team without any financial risk to yourself. We only get paid if we win your case and collect our fees from your settlement or verdict. This means that you do not have to forfeit necessary legal representation due to financial hardship. 

Spanish-Speaking Services Offered

Our team has fluent Spanish speakers on staff to better serve our clients and help them get the help they need when it matters most. We ensure that language is not a barrier to accessing legal help in Riverside County.

The Difference Between Loss of Limb and an Amputation

While you may have heard the terms loss of limb and amputation used interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between the two. A loss of limb occurs when an injury results in severe and irreparable damage that renders the limb unusable. Amputation, on the other hand, is the removal of a limb through surgery. This procedure may be necessary depending on the type of injuries you sustain at the hands of a negligent party, especially if it minimizes the damage from affecting other parts of the body.

Impact of Amputation Injuries on Patients in Riverside County

The amputation of a limb is a traumatic experience and leaves the body in a state of shock. Limbs in both the upper and lower extremities may be amputated if needed. The National Library of Medicine estimates that 150,000 patients a year have undergone amputation for lower extremity injuries alone. 

The body may continue to try to function normally in that region for a time despite the lack of a limb. Depending on your condition and preferred recovery plan, surgeons may perform a standard amputation, an osseointegration for prosthetics, or rotationalplasty to reuse functional tissue. It can easily take months for recovery and rehabilitation, and many medical professionals can be required to provide the necessary support. 

Amputations also result in psychological trauma and grief as the individual must process the sudden change to their body. Amputation patients often grieve the physical loss as much as the loss of mobility and quality of life they enjoyed before the accident. Depression is a common symptom in the wake of an amputation. 

Types of Accidents that May Result in Amputations

Amputation injuries can be the result of accidents, many of which are the result of negligence. Vehicle accidents, workplace and premises accidents, combat, dog bite injuries, medical injuries, and infection or disease can result in an injury that requires the limb to be amputated. These types of injuries may severely damage the nerves and tissues within the area. If there is an open wound, there is also an increased risk of infection that could spread if not stopped. 

If you have been in an accident, there is also a good chance that losing your limb was not your only injury. Medical teams will provide treatment for these injuries as well and make sure they do not contribute to complications recovering from your amputation.

Reasons Why an Amputation May be Performed

An amputation may be necessary when there is concern that infection or damage may spread or negatively impact other areas of the body. If a limb is forcibly removed during an accident, a surgeon will likely need to perform surgery to ensure the site is properly treated and prevent damaged tissue from causing further harm. 

Given the shock and trauma of an amputation on the body, these actions are generally taken when there is no other option for saving the damaged limb. Surgeons will carefully handle the remaining bone, tissues, and nerves in a way that reduces the stress on the body as much as possible.

Complications and Long-term Effects of Amputations

It is not uncommon for amputation patients to face various challenges and complications as they begin the long road to recovery. Initially, the surgical site must be regularly cared for so it does not get infected or re-open. It should also be closely monitored by medical professionals to ensure it is healing properly. 

Regaining mobility and learning how to execute tasks can be challenging and take time after an accident. Those who have lost a limb in the lower half of the body may have an elevated risk of falling. Rehabilitation may be needed to learn how to compensate for the loss of a limb and retain as much independence as possible.   

While not necessarily a complication, phantom limb sensations can occur for a while after the procedure as the nerves adapt and heal. An individual may have the sensation that their limb is still attached, which can be challenging for individuals, especially when they are learning how to live without their limb. Some individuals may also suffer intense pain at the amputation site. Managing pain during recovery can be quite challenging and overwhelming. 

Common Medical Needs Patients May Have After an Amputation

Many individuals who have amputated limbs require ongoing medical support and management of their condition. Some individuals may use prosthetic limbs to help improve their mobility, while others may learn to compensate in other ways. These injuries may take a significant amount of time to heal, so medication and regular maintenance of the amputation site are necessary for maximum recovery. Compression devices may also be needed during recovery.  

Amputation patients often have a long recovery process and require extensive medical care, therapies, supplies, and equipment. These costs can quickly add up, especially over the life of the injury. It is important to talk with your amputation attorney in Riverside, CA about your needs so they can effectively negotiate for you. They may also consult medical experts and specialists to better understand the full scope of your condition, prognosis, and medical and financial needs.  

How Liability Is Established in an Amputation Case in Riverside County

If your amputation resulted from an accident caused by a negligent party, then you may have the right to hold them accountable through a legal claim. This also gives you the opportunity to pursue compensation to cover your medical costs and decreased quality of life. However, you must first demonstrate negligence in a personal injury claim before you can get the results you seek. This is done when Amputation attorneys in Riverside, CA systematically show each of the four elements: 

  • Duty of Care: The at-fault party had a reasonable obligation not to cause harm to others and use caution in all activities and duties. 
  • Breach of Duty: The at-fault party disregarded their duty and engaged in unsafe actions that put others at risk. 
  • Causation: The at-fault party’s actions directly caused an accident that resulted in you suffering severe injuries that required amputation. 
  • Damages: The at-fault party is liable for causing harm and must pay for the damage they caused you to suffer. 

Before demonstrating the four parts of negligence, your lawyer will spend time gaining an in-depth knowledge of the situation and pursuing evidence that can be used in your case. From it, your lawyer will develop a customized strategy to support your claim and demonstrate the other party’s role in the accident. 

Liability and Legal Options Available in Situations of Shared Fault

In the event that you contributed to the accident that led to your injuries and amputation in some way, you are not left without options to recover compensation.

California takes a pure comparative negligence approach to shared fault cases. This means that as long as you are not 100% at fault, you may recover compensation that has been reduced by the percentage of fault you contributed. For example, if you were 20% at fault, you would only be able to recover 80% of your maximum compensation value. 

Compensation Provides for a Variety of Losses to Ease your Suffering

Traumatically losing a limb due to injury and amputation can put a strain on your life in many ways. The cost of medical care and limitations on daily activities can be overwhelming. Many individuals are unprepared for what is demanded of them after a personal injury accident and amputation. With the help of amputation lawyers in Riverside, CA, though, you can claim compensation that will cover your various losses so you have the means to rebuild your life. You may be able to recover: 

  • Cost of medical care, including treatments, therapy, surgeries, medical supplies, prosthetics, and medications
  • Loss of income or earning capacity
  • Cost to repair or replace property damaged in the accident
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment
  • Emotional distress
  • PTSD, depression, and anxiety
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium

All of your losses will be added up and calculated to determine how much your case is worth. Your ongoing care and medical needs will be factored in along with your current costs to make sure you are not left without the means to manage the expenses before you. Your lawyer will communicate these needs and effectively negotiate on your behalf so you can recover maximum and fair compensation. 

Contact an Experienced Amputation Lawyer in Riverside, CA

The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas advocates and negotiates for you when you are struggling with the changes to your life caused by an amputation. We use our legal knowledge, extensive experience, resources, and connections to fiercely fight for you and secure you the results you deserve. We also provide you and your family with compassionate support as we help you navigate this difficult time. To take the first step forward, contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team.